do you have to start ur own record label before you can create and release an album? need help.?

Question

do you have to be an independent record label before releasing an album? or is it ok to just distribute your own work without creating an independent label or signing to a major label?

thanks.

Answer 1

Anyone can create an album using a home computer. However, most aspects of "distribution" require affiliation or cooperation with other businesses. For example, it's almost impossible to sell anything "to or through" retail stores unless it has a UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode, and you must somehow get that from the entity that issues them, or from someone who has the right to create UPCs within a range of numbers. In addition, retail stores usually won't pay "up front," but demand "terms" so that they might not pay you for 30, 60, or 90 days after delivery; they may also demand the right to return unsold items for a full refund.

Of course, you might need a professional studio and/or access to skilled staff in order to create a professional-sounding album; sound mixing and editing are important.

In addition, copyright laws apply to music works, so if you are performing music that was composed by someone else, and/or lyrics that were written by someone else, and/or an arrangement created by someone else, you may need to acquire appropriate rights (and pay royalties).

If you're creating an album that is made up of entirely your own work (performance, musical composition, lyrics, and arrangement), and you just want to sell it at gigs, to friends, or on the street, you don't need to do anything else. Under other circumstances, things get more complex, which is why "record labels" exist.

Answer 2

You do not have to create a record label. Master P the rapper, rented a recording studio to produce his first and sold them out of his trunk. Of course your sales would be limited to just what you were selling. You could also try to sell them to stores directly like book authors do. Doing that would take a lot of dedication and negotiation skills. You can also research how much it cost to turn a room in your home into a sound studio. If you have all of the equipment to do it, go for it. The best hting about doing it yourself is that you keep all the profits. The bad thing is you have to do all the work. But if I were in that type of business, I would do it myself. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

Label call: Impulsive archives proprietor: Impulse Time: contemporary 5 rappers: Ludacris, Joell Ortiz, Papoose, Redman, Keith Murray important Artist: Redman team: No Timeline: 25 years.

Answer 4

Considering how many small bands make and release their own CD's and tapes, you don't need to be signed with anyone to get them made, packaged OR played on the radio. Free copies usually are sent out to the local stations for air play with just a cover letter. The rest are sold at the gigs the musicians play at or they sell them off their band's website.